The horrific attack on two New Zealand mosques that killed at least 50 people was fueled by xenophobic, ethno-nationalistic and anti-immigrant feelings that seem to be rising worldwide – a tide of hatred that is taking many of its cues from the United States, some human rights leaders say.

The movement is being led by a small but vocal group of Americans who have sought to craft a narrative that white racial identity is in danger. In an interconnected, internet-enabled globe, their ideas migrate quickly from one continent to another.

“The United States is the epicenter of the world in terms of how white identity is seen,” said Karam Dana, a professor of Middle East politics and director of the American Muslim Research Institute at the University of Washington Bothell outside Seattle.

The New Zealand attack comes after recent racial violence in the U.S. Domestic extremists killed at least 50 people in the United States in 2018, which makes it the fourth-deadliest year for extremist-related killings since 1970, according to the Anti-Defamation League, a non-profit that fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry. White supremacists committed the majority of the murders in 2018, the ADL said.

In 2017, clashes between counterprotesters and white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia, led to injuries and a death, making the college town synonymous with racial unrest and amplifying the message of white nationalists. More recently, a gunman opened fire in October inside a Pittsburgh synagogue, shouting hate for Jews and killing 11 people in the 20-minute attack. Authorities say the gunman had made anti-immigrant posts on social media.

“Modern white supremacy is an international threat that knows no borders, being exported and globalized like never before,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said. “The hatred that led to violence in Pittsburgh and Charlottesville is finding new adherents around the world. Indeed, it appears that this attack was not just focused on New Zealand; it was intended to have a global impact.”

The brazen attack in the town of Christchurch began with social media announcements from the killer that he soon would be streaming his rampage. A 17-minute video stream of horror unfolded on Facebook, since taken down, in which dozens of worshipers at two mosques were massacred indiscriminately with high-powered weapons. Police finally arrested the suspect along with three other people.

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An armed police officer guards Al Noor mosque after it was officially reopened following last weeks attack, on March 23, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. 50 people were killed, and dozens were injured in Christchurch on Friday, March 15 when a gunman opened fire at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques. The attack is the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's history. Carl Court, Getty Images

Surfers carry their boards as they walk along a beach before forming a circle at sea to remember victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks, on March 23, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Carl Court, Getty Images

Flowers and shoes lay in the lobby of a Danforth mosque during a 'Ring Of Peace' event to show support and solidarity March 22, 2019 at a mosque in Toronto, Canada, one week after the deadly mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand. Cole Burston, AFP/Getty Images

All Blacks Rugby Star Sonny Bill Williams speaks to Ziyaad Shah, a survivor of the shootings at Al Noor mosque, during a visit to Christchurch Hospital on March 23, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Kai Schwoerer, Getty Images

Mourners help to carry a casket containing the body of Haji Mohammed Daoud Nabi, 71, a victim of the Al Noor Mosque massacre, during his funeral in Christchurch on March 21, 2019. ANTHONY WALLACE, AFP/Getty Images

Omar Nabi, 43, stands with a bouquet of flowers in the driveway of a friend after the funeral of his father Haji Mohammed Daoud Nabi, 71, a victim of the Al Noor Mosque massacre in Christchurch on March 21, 2019. ANTHONY WALLACE, AFP/Getty Images

Members of a biker gang are welcomed by Omar Nabi, 43, (L) and a mourner (C) of the entourage accompanying the hearse vehicle before the funeral of Omar Nabi's father, Haji Mohammed Daoud Nabi, 71, a victim of the Al Noor Mosque massacre in Christchurch on March 21, 2019. ANTHONY WALLACE, AFP/Getty Images

A policewoman patrols past a memorial wall outside the Linwood Mosque in Christchurch on March 21, 2019, six days after the twin mosque shooting massacre that claimed the lives of fifty people. Police and tradespeople worked intensively on March 21 in hopes of readying the two affected mosques to hold congregational Friday prayers, just a week after a white supremacist gunman opened fire on worshippers. WILLIAM WEST, AFP/Getty Images

A "Hello Brother" message is left in a tree outside the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch. "Hello brother," were the words an elderly Muslim reportedly used to greet a white supremacist gunman as he entered the mosque. Mohemmed Daoud Nabi, a 71-year-old from war-torn Afghanistan, was buried on March 21. WILLIAM WEST, AFP/Getty Images

A tribute is placed outside the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch on March 21, 2019, six days after the twin mosque shooting massacre that claimed the lives of fifty people. WILLIAM WEST, AFP/Getty Images

People look at tributes at the Botanic Gardens in Christchurch on March 21, 2019. New Zealand is banning the sale of assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons with almost immediate effect, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on March 21, rapidly making good on a pledge to tighten the country's gun laws. WILLIAM WEST, AFP/Getty Images

A painter works on the side of the Linwood Mosque in Christchurch on March 21, 2019, six days after the twin mosque shooting massacre that claimed the lives of fifty people. WILLIAM WEST, AFP/Getty Images

Funeral proceedings of Imam Patel at the Manukau Memorial Gardens on March 21, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. 50 people were killed, and dozens are still injured in hospital after a gunman opened fire on two Christchurch mosques on March 15. Cam McLaren, Getty Images

Mourners perform congregational prayers on the sidelines of the funeral of Haji Mohammed Daoud Nabi, 71, a victim of the Al Noor Mosque massacre in Christchurch on March 21, 2019 ANTHONY WALLACE, AFP/Getty Images

People light candles next to flowers and tributes laid by the wall of the Botanic Gardens on March 17, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. 50 people are confirmed dead, with 36 injured still in hospital following shooting attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, 15 March. 41 of the victims were killed at Al Noor mosque on Deans Avenue and seven died at Linwood mosque. Another victim died later in Christchurch hospital. A 28-year-old Australian-born man, Brenton Tarrant, appeared in Christchurch District Court on Saturday charged with murder. The attack is the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's history. Carl Court, Getty Images

Members of the public mourn at a flower memorial near the Al Noor Masjid on Deans Rd in Christchurch, New Zealand, 16 March 2019. A gunman killed 49 worshippers at the Al Noor Masjid and Linwood Masjid on March15. The 28-year-old Australian suspect, Brenton Tarrant, appeared in court on March 16 and was charged with murder. Mick Tsikas, EPA-EFE

Police search for evidence at a motel near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019. A white supremacist gunman appeared in court Saturday charged with murder in the mosque assaults that killed dozens of people and led to the prime minister to call for a tightening of national gun laws. Mark Baker, AP

Ash Mohammed, right, talks to a police officer about his father and two brothers who are missing near the Masjid Al Noor mosque, site of one of the mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019. Mark Baker, AP

The floral tributes grow on Deans Avenue near the Al Noor Mosque as locals pay tribute to those who were killed on March 16, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. At least 49 people are confirmed dead, with more than 40 people injured following attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday afternoon. 41 of the victims were killed at Al Noor mosque on Deans Avenue and seven died at Linwood mosque. Another victim died later in Christchurch hospital. Three people are in custody over the mass shootings. One man has been charged with murder. Fiona Goodall, Getty Images

A note is left on a police car windscreen on Deans Avenue near the Al Noor Mosque on March 16, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. At least 49 people are confirmed dead, with more than 40 people injured following attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday afternoon. Fiona Goodall, Getty Images

Police attempt to clear people from outside a mosque in central Christchurch, New Zealand. Multiple people were killed in mass shootings at two mosques full of people attending Friday prayers, as New Zealand police warned people to stay indoors as they tried to determine if more than one gunman was involved. Mark Baker, AP Images

A car with shattered windows is parked close to the Masjid al Noor mosque in Christchurch on March 15, 2019 after a gunman opened fire inside the mosque during afternoon prayers. FLYNN FOLEY, AFP/Getty Images

Hamzah Noor Yahaya, a survivor of the shootings at Al Noor mosque, stands in front of Christchurch Hospital at the end of a lockdown and waits to be picked up by his wife on March 15, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Kai Schwoerer, Getty Images

AOS (Armed Offenders Squad) officers push back members of the public following a shooting resulting in multiple fatalies and injuries at the Masjid Al Noor on Deans Avenue in Christchurch, New Zealand, 15 March 2019. Martin Hunter, EPA-EFE

A hate-filled manifesto believed to be written by the New Zealand attacker included references to the Second Amendment, with the gunman writing that he hoped conflicts over firearms would eventually lead to the United States splitting along political, cultural and racial lines. He also wrote that he supports President Donald Trump “as a symbol of renewed white identity.”

In a news conference Friday, Trump said he had not seen the manifesto and did not see rising white nationalism.

“I don't really. I think it’s a small group of people,” Trump said.

Domestic terrorism goes global

Anti-immigrant and ethno-nationalistic actions have been on a sharp rise in the West over the past four years, according to data collected by E. Tendayi Achiume, a U.N. special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

That increase began in 2015 with the arrival of a small number of refugees in Europe who were fleeing war in Syria and elsewhere, said Asli Bali, professor of law and faculty director of the Promise Institute for Human Rights at the University of California-Los Angeles.

It was further fanned by growing economic anxiety, rising inequality and narratives that tell whites those problems are driven by immigrants and people of color. Another often-cited statistic is that the United States will cease to be majority white within several decades. The nation is 76.6 percent white today, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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Some of the survivors of the attacks on mosques in Christchurch that left 49 people dead spoke of their ordeals on Saturday. (March 16)
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These trends can be observed in most of the Western world: From Switzerland to Germany to New Zealand to the United States and some Scandinavian countries, resistance to the idea of changing demographics has been on the rise, Dana said.

It's also spreading beyond white-majority nations. Globally, xenophobic and ethno-nationalistic violence and rhetoric has been rising for years but have largely been overlooked in the West, Bali said. For example, migrants from Mozambique, Mali and Zimbabwe coming into South Africa have been subject to attack. In 2017 and 2018, immigrant shops were burned and their owners beaten. A survey last year found that 30 percent of South Africans blame the violence on "foreigners stealing jobs from hard working South Africans."

Such attacks mirror much of the vitriol that’s coming out of many U.S.-based alt-right websites and other media sources, where racial epithets and statements disparaging Hispanics, women, Muslims, African-Americans and Jewish people run rampant. In one instance, William Daniel Johnson, chairman of the American Freedom Party, a white nationalist group based in New York, said: "Europe is becoming Muslim. Every people in the world can have their own country except white people. We should have white ethno-states."

The attack in New Zealand reflects a growing maturation of the white nationalist movement globally, which increasingly appears to be taking its inspiration from attackers in the U.S., says Eric Ward, executive director of the Western States Center in Portand, Oregon, which monitors hate crimes and provides tools to combat extremist views.

“Extremists in other parts of the world are now taking their cue from the increase in violence here,” Ward says.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 16: New Zealand flag flies at half mast on the roof of the Beehive on March 16, 2019 in Wellington, New Zealand. At least 49 people are confirmed dead, with more than 40 people injured following attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday afternoon. (Photo by Mark Tantrum/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775316174 ORIG FILE ID: 1136042627(Photo: Mark Tantrum, Getty Images)

Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Center, says the New Zealand attacker’s manifesto bears the “unmistakable fingerprints” of the alt-right.

“We – and that includes policymakers and the law enforcement community, in particular – must begin to view what we call ‘domestic terrorism’ through a global lens, just as we do the threat of groups like ISIS, because the growing white supremacist movement represents a clear and present threat to democracies across the world,” he says.

Made in the U.S.A.

New York University communications professor Helio Fred Garcia said the language used by candidate and now President Trump has had a direct effect on inspiring people to commit acts of violence. Trump has also called Mexicans rapists and suggested there were "people that were very fine people, on both sides," in Charlottesville, where white nationalists carried Nazi flags and chanted "Jews will not replace us."

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Members of the public attend a vigil in George Square to pay their respects for the victims of the Christchurch Mosque shootings in New Zealand on March 23, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. People from all faiths attended the event where they wrote symbolic messages of peace, love and unity before tying them to a tree of peace. Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images

A handout image obtained from Dubai's Public Diplomacy Office on March 23, 2019 shows the Gulf emirate's Burj Khalifa tower lit the previous night with an image of New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in appreciation of her solidarity position with her country's Muslim community following the March 15 massacre of 50 worshippers in a mosque in Christchurch by an Australian white supremacist. Muslims prayed at Christchurch's main mosque on March 23 for the first time since last week's massacre New Zealand sought to return to normality after the tragedy. AFP/Getty Images

Members of the public attend a vigil in George Square to pay their respects for the victims of the Christchurch Mosque shootings in New Zealand on March 23, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images

Members of the public attend a vigil in George Square to pay their respects for the victims of the Christchurch Mosque shootings in New Zealand on March 23, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images

Saidoa Ly covers his face in a prayer for the New Zealand mosque shooting victims during an event held by the Summit Colorado Interfaith Council Friday, March 22, 2019, at the Lord of the Mountains Church in Dillon, Colo. Hugh Carey, Summit Daily News via AP

Flowers and candles are seen during a vigil to remember the victims of last week's terrorist attack on Christchurch's Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia on March 21, 2019. A gunman killed 50 worshippers at the Al Noor Masjid and Linwood Masjid in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 15. A 28-year-old Australian suspect was charged with murder. Kelly Barnes, EPA-EFE

Londoners hold a minute's silence during a vigil at Trafalgar square in London, Britain, March 21, 2019. Thousands of people payed their respects to those who lost their lives during a terror attack in Christchurch a week ago. Andy Rain, EPA-EFE

Londoners hold a minute's silence during a vigil at Trafalgar square in London, Britain on March 21, 2019. Thousands of people payed their respects to those who lost their lives during a terror attack in Christchurch a week ago. Andy Rain, EPA-EFE

Messages of support are placed at the vigil to remember the victims of last week's terrorist attack on Christchurch's Al Noor mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre, in Adelaide, Australia on March 21, 2019. Kelly Barnes, EPA-EFE

Relatives and devotees offer absentia funeral prayers for Mohammed Sohail Shahid, who was killed in the Christchurch mosques attacks in New Zealand, in Lahore on March 19, 2019. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern vowed on March 19 never to utter the name of the twin-mosque gunman as she opened a sombre session of parliament with an evocative "as-salaam alaikum" message of peace to Muslims. Arif Ali, AFP/Getty Images

Flowers and messages are placed outside Lakemba Mosque in Sydney on March 20, 2018, five days after the mass shooting attacks at two mosques in Christchurch that killed 50 Muslim worshippers in the city. A Syrian refugee and his son were buried in New Zealand on March 20 in the first funerals of those killed in the twin mosque massacre as Kiwis braced for days of emotional farewells following the mass slayings. Peter Parks, AFP/Getty Images

Artists paint a mural reading "Hello Brother" in tribute to the victims of the Christchurch mass shooting in New Zealand in Banda Aceh, Aceh province on March 21, 2019. "Hello brother." The warm-hearted words an elderly Muslim reportedly used to greet a white supremacist gunman have become Christchurch's answer to his volley of hate. Chaideer Mahyuddin, AFP/Getty Images

Pakistani Christians hold a special prayer services for the victims of Christchurch mosques shooting, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. Many people were killed in a terror attack at two mosques in New Zealand, on March 15. K.M. C haudarey, AP

Duchess Meghan of Sussex and Prince Harry lay floral tributes at New Zealand House on March 19, 2019 in London, following the recent terror attack at mosques in Christchurch that killed 50 people. Ian Vogler/ Getty Images pool

Activists perform a symbolic action pray during a rally at the New Zealand Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 19, 2019. A gunman, believed to be a 28-year-old Australian man, who killed 50 worshippers at the Al Noor Masjid and Linwood Mosque, appeared in court on the morning of the March 16 charged with murder. Ahmad Yusni, EPA-EFE

Protesters attend a rally for the upcoming International Day for the Elimination of Racism Discrimination, in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, March 17, 2019. About 100 demonstrators denounced the mosques' attacks in New Zealand. Ahn Young-joon, AP

Surfers competing in the Sydney Surf Pro participate in a paddle-out, wreath laying and observe a minute of silence to remember victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks at Manly Beach on March 17, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. 50 people are confirmed dead and 36 are injured still in hospital following shooting attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, 15 March. The attack is the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's history. Cameron Spencer, Getty Images

Australian politicians and religious leaders light candles at an interfaith service at St Marys Cathedral in Sydney on March 17, 2019, in memory of those who lost their lives in the Christchurch mosque attacks. Wendell Teodoro, AFP/Getty Images

Imam Osman Oers of House of One attends a memorial service for an intercession to persecuted Christians in the world in the St. Marien Church in Berlin, Germany on March 17, 2019. The service also commemorated the victims of the Christchurch shooting where a gunman killed 50 worshippers in mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15. Imam Osman Oers from the House of One also attended the service. The 'House of One' project promotes a house of prayer and learning of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in a peaceful coexistence. Felipe Trueba, EPA-EFE

People shout slogans to condemn mass shooting in Christchurch, after Pakistani authorities confirmed six of its nationals were killed, during a protest in Peshawar, Pakistan, Pakistan on March 17, 2019. ARSHAD ARBAB, EPA-EFE

Pakistani Christians attend a special prayer service for the victims of Christchurch mosques shooting, at a church in Hyderabad, Pakistan, Sunday, March 17, 2019. Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman says three more Pakistanis have been identified among the dead increasing the number of Pakistanis to nine killed in the mass shootings at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch. Pervez Masih, AP

From left, Syeda Sabeera, Sumaiya Syed and Amina Choudhury stand with candles during a prayer service at St. James Episcopal Church on Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Austin, Texas. The service was held in honor of those killed and injured in Friday's mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Nick Wagner, Austin American-Statesma via AP

Crowds gather on Takapuna beach for a vigil in memory of the victims of the Christchurch mosque terror attacks on March 16, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. 49 people are confirmed dead, with 36 injured still in hospital following shooting attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, 15 March. 41 of the victims were killed at Al Noor mosque on Deans Avenue and seven died at Linwood mosque. Another victim died later in Christchurch hospital. A 28-year-old Australian-born man, Brenton Tarrant, appeared in Christchurch District Court on Saturday charged with murder. The attack is the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's history. Cam McLaren, Getty Images

The Silver Fern of New Zealand is seen projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House to pay tribute for victims of massacre in the mosques in Christchurch, in Sydney, Australia on March 16, 2019. Paul Braven, EPA-EFE

A vigil is held outside the State Library of Victoria. 49 people are confirmed dead, with with 36 injured still in hospital following shooting attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, 15 March. Jaimi Chisholm, Getty Images

A number of Melbourne's landmarks are lit up in the New Zealand flag colors in a show of solidarity. Flinders St Station. 49 people are confirmed dead, with with 36 injured still in hospital following shooting attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, 15 March. Jaimi Chisholm, Getty Images

Mourners pay their respects at a makeshift memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019. People across New Zealand are reaching out to Muslims in their communities and around the country the day after mass shootings at two mosques that left dozens of people dead. Mark Baker, AP

Anti racism protesters stand during a UN anti racism day march in London, Britain on March 16, 2019. Marches across the world took place during UN anti racism day condemning the attacks on muslims in New Zealand this week. At least 49 people were killed by a gunman, believed to be Brenton Harrison Tarrant, and 20 more injured and in critical condition during the terrorist attacks against two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand during the Friday prayers on 15 March. Andy Rain, EPA-EFE

A woman reacts as she sits among flowers left in tribute to victims outside the entrance of the hospital in Christchurch on March 16, 2019, after a shooting incident at two mosques in Christchurch the previous day. Anthony Wallace, AFP/Getty Images

A young mourner weeps after placing flowers at the police cordon as Police continue the search of the area close by the Linwood Ave Mosque in Christchurch on March 16, 2019. Michael Bradley, AFP/Getty Images

Mourners pay their respects at a makeshift memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019. The white supremacist gunman appeared in court Saturday charged with murder in the mosque assaults that killed dozens of people and led to the prime minister to call for a tightening of national gun laws. Vincent Yu, AP

People gather for a vigil held for the victims of the New Zealand terror attack on Friday March 15, 2019 in Toronto. Members of Muslim communities across the Canada offered condolences to the grieving families and spoke out against extremism. Chris Young, The Canadian Press via AP

Chalk messages outside a Mosque in Kilbirnie, Wellington. on March 16, 2019 in Kilbirnie, New Zealand. At least 49 people are confirmed dead, with more than 40 people injured following attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday afternoon. 41 of the victims were killed at Al Noor mosque on Deans Avenue and seven died at Linwood mosque. Another victim died later in Christchurch hospital. Three people are in custody over the mass shootings. One man has been charged with murder. Mark Tantrum, Getty Images

Women pray and prepare for the weekly Jum'a prayer service at the Southern California Islamic Center in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 15, 2019. Yesterday, a man opened fire at two Mosques in New Zealand, killing 49 and wounding many more. Harrison Hill, USA TODAY

Various community leaders and officers comfort each other during a press conference at the Southern California Islamic Center in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 15, 2019. The press conference was organized after a man opened fire at two Mosques in New Zealand, killing 49 and wounding many more. Harrison Hill, USA TODAY

Rabbi Linda Holtzman, second from right, attends an interfaith service held in honor and solidarity with the people killed in the deadly attacks on mosques in New Zealand at an Masjidullah Mosque in Philadelphia, Friday, March 15, 2019. Margo Reed, The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP

People write messages on a sheet of paper during a gathering to commemorate the victims of an attack on two mosques in New Zealand at the New Zealander Embassy in Brussels on March 15, 2019. A "right-wing extremist" armed with semi-automatic weapons rampaged through two mosques in the quiet New Zealand city of Christchurch during afternoon prayers on March 15, killing 49 worshippers and wounding dozens more. Laurie Dieffembacq, AFP/Getty Images

White roses from a delegation of religious in France are displayed at the entrance hall of the New Zealand Embassy in France, in Paris, Friday, March 15, 2019. France is increasing security measures at mosques and other religious sites after the deadly attack against two mosques in New Zealand. Francois Mori, AP

JoAnn Huber is hugged by Sarah Rana as she exits worship at the Islamic Society of Tulsa to members of Tulsa's interfaith community with Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry greet worshippers as they leave Islamic Society of Tulsa, Friday, March 15, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla. The group showed up to show support in the wake of the New Zealand mosque shootings. Mike Simons, Tulsa World via AP

Melbourne United players observe a minute's silence for the victims of the Mosque shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand during game three of the NBL Grand Final Series between the Perth Wildcats and Melbourne United at RAC Arena on March 15, 2019 in Perth, Australia. Will Russell, Getty Images

Turkish police secure the plaza in front of he Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul's main tourist attractions Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, March 15, 2019. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says at least three Turkish citizens were injured in the attack that targeted Muslim worshippers in New Zealand and that he has spoken to one of them. Emrah Gurel, AP

Demonstrators chant slogans against the mosque attacks in New Zealand during a protest in Istanbul, Friday, March 15, 2019. At least 49 people were killed in mass shootings at two mosques full of worshippers attending Friday prayers on what the prime minister called "one of New Zealand's darkest days." Lefteris Pitarakis, AP

Pakistanis protest to condemn the New Zealand mosque shooting, in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, March 15, 2019. Pakistan's prime minister Imran Khan has condemned attacks on two mosques in New Zealand, saying he blames rising "Islamophobia." Khan wrote Friday on Twitter that "terrorism does not have a religion." Fareed Khan, AP

Flowers are placed on the front steps of the Wellington Masjid mosque in Kilbirnie in Wellington on March 15, 2019, after a shooting incident at two mosques in Christchurch. Marty Melville, AFP/Getty Images

Indian Muslims and clerics hold posters to condemn the mass shooting that occurred at multiple mosques in New Zealand city of Christchurch, during an Islamic seminary in Mumbai on March 14, 2019. A "right-wing extremist" armed with semi-automatic weapons rampaged through two mosques in the quiet New Zealand city of Christchurch during afternoon prayers on March 15, killing 49 worshippers and wounding dozens more. Indranil Mukherjee, AFP/Getty Images

Delegates stands during a minute of silence after the mass shooting that occurred in New Zealand during a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council on March 15, 2019, in Geneva. Fabrice Coffrini, AFP/Getty Images

A cricket supporter holds a sign reading "Terrorism has no religion real Muslims aren't terrorists!", after the mass shooting that occurred in New Zealand, during the 2nd elimination PSL Twenty20 match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United in Karachi on March 15, 2019. Asif Hassan, AFP/Getty Images

Muslims attend a vigil at the East London Mosque for the victims of the New Zealand mosque attacks on March 15, 2019 in London, England. Patrols have been increased after 49 people were killed in mass shootings at two mosques in central Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday. Jack Taylor, Getty Images

In the wake of the deadly attack against two mosques in New Zealand, police officers sit in their vehicle out side the Al Aqsa Islamic Society mosque in Philadelphia, ahead of prayers Friday, March 15, 2019. Matt Rourke, AP

“We are seeing a growing number of people who are never on any terrorist watchlist suddenly commit these acts, and they often directly use language that has been a staple of the president’s rhetoric, such as calling immigrants ‘invaders,’” Garcia says.

Garcia says Trump’s inflammatory language around migrant caravans heading to the southern U.S border, which he has often described as an invasion, is an example of what extremists respond to with action. In Pittsburgh, the man who killed 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue posted on social media that Jews were bringing in an invasion of nonwhite immigrants and that he couldn't "sit by and watch my people get slaughtered."

“It’s time for political leaders to hold the president accountable,” Garcia says.

After the attack in New Zealand, the president shared his condolences on Twitter, calling it senseless.

"My warmest sympathy and best wishes goes out to the people of New Zealand after the horrible massacre in the Mosques. 49 innocent people have so senselessly died, with so many more seriously injured. The U.S. stands by New Zealand for anything we can do. God bless all!" Trump tweeted.